Bourbon Reviews, Distillery News and Information
Buffalo Trace Announces Eagle Rare 12 Year Old Bourbon – The Latest Addition to the Eagle Rare Line
Buffalo Trace Distillery has officially unveiled Eagle Rare 12, a new permanent addition to its award-winning bourbon portfolio. It is aged for a minimum of 12 years and bottled at 95 proof. The launch of Eagle Rare 12 was made possible by the distillery’s recently completed $1.2 billion expansion project. Priced at $49.99 per 750ml bottle, the bourbon will roll out to select retailers, bars, and restaurants nationwide beginning June 2025, with international markets to follow in the fall.
Press Release
Buffalo Trace Distillery Reaches Higher with the Introduction of Eagle Rare 12: A Permanent New Addition to Its Award-Winning Portfolio
Enabled by the Distillery’s 10-year, $1.2 Billion Expansion Project, Eagle Rare 12 embodies the heights reached when time-honored tradition and bold innovation merge together
FRANKFORT, KY (June 9, 2025) – Buffalo Trace Distillery formally announces the introduction of Eagle Rare 12: a bold, aspirational, yet accessible bourbon and the latest result of the World’s Most Award-Winning Distillery’s commitment to distilling and aging expertise. The latest age-stated addition to the famed Eagle Rare lineup, Eagle Rare 12 debuts as the Distillery completes its 10-year, $1.2 billion expansion project, which played a pivotal role in its creation.
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Expanding the Eagle Rare Lineup
With the release of Eagle Rare 12, Buffalo Trace Distillery continues its endeavor to offer enthusiasts innovative new expressions on its journey to make the world’s best whiskey. The liquid – Buffalo Trace’s iconic Mashbill #1 – is aged for a minimum of 12 years in meticulously-monitored warehouses, with each barrel hand-selected by the distillery’s expert team. In addition to aging a minimum of two years longer than Eagle Rare 10, this special expression is bottled at 95-proof (47.5% ABV) to deliver exceptional depth, character and distinction.
A Reflection of Dedication and Innovation
“This whiskey represents more than just time in the barrel—it’s the result of years of dedication, innovation, and an unwavering commitment from our entire team,” says Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. “The investments we’ve made – in time, resources and effort – have allowed us to explore new possibilities in aging and flavor, and this release is a proud reflection of that journey.”
Tasting Notes from the Distillery
Eagle Rare 12 opens with a sweet, oaky aroma and delicate hints of almond. On the palate, it delivers bold complexity, featuring subtle vanilla and toasted oak, leading to a rich, lingering finish with warm notes of toffee.
Pushing the Bounds of Bourbon Excellence
“At Buffalo Trace Distillery, we believe there are no shortcuts to create outstanding whiskey – there is no substitute for quality time spent in the barrel. With Eagle Rare, we are always striving but never satisfied, constantly experimenting to enable better-tasting age stated bourbons,” noted Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director at Buffalo Trace Distillery. “When it was introduced, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey brought higher quality standards to whiskey around the world; now, Eagle Rare pushes the bounds of age stating excellence in Bourbon.”
Availability and Pricing
Eagle Rare 12 will be released to select retailers, bars, and restaurants across the United States beginning June 2025 at a suggested retail price of $49.99 per 750ml bottle (local taxes and fees dependent); additional international markets will follow in Fall 2025. The expression joins the Eagle Rare lineup of Eagle Rare 10, Double Eagle Very Rare, Eagle Rare 25 as well as Eagle Rare 17, released each fall as part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. buffalotracedistillery.com
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About the author: Ed Escott is truly "Bourbon Obsessed". He is the founder of Bourbon Obsessed, LLC, and an Executive Bourbon Steward of the Stave and Thief Society. In addition, he has authored and edited over 600 bourbon and other whiskey reviews, over 50 in-depth distillery write-ups, and many other related articles. He is on the board of the Kentucky Bourbon Influencers and a member of the Lexington Bourbon Society and the Bourbon Capital Guild. Last, but not least, Ed has attended many bourbon-related educational sessions, visited countless distilleries, and is on a never-ending quest to try every bourbon.
Prior to focusing solely on Bourbon Obsessed, Ed practiced in academic medicine for three decades. He most recently was a Professor at the University of Kentucky and served as Chief of the Division of Neuroradiology and Vice Chair For Faculty Mentoring, Development & Wellness of the Department of Radiology. He has extensive editorial experience in academic medical publication, and brings that same academic mindset to Bourbon Obsessed, which is a unique approach for a spirit-focused media company.
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